Her Story
About Kim
Kim Telford is Executive Vice President at CommerceNext, where she leads the strategy, growth and execution of a year-round portfolio of retail and ecommerce events. This includes the CommerceNext Growth Show, which brings together 2,500 retail and technology leaders each year, along with nearly 60 executive events designed to foster connection, collaboration, and business growth across the retail community.
Previously, Kim held leadership roles at NY NOW, Shoptalk and WWD, where she built high performing teams and developed industry events that brought people together around shared challenges and opportunities. She is passionate about building communities, cultivating strategic partnerships and creating experiences that help people connect, learn and grow.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kim
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I've learned that it doesn't have to be perfect..it just has to keep moving. Have a clear North Star, build quickly, and be willing to adapt as you learn. If you wait for perfection, you miss the opportunity to make progress. That mindset has guided me throughout my career and has served me well.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay curious. Ask the questions, take time to process what you're learning, and don't be afraid to ask for what you need. I've learned that people are often more willing to help than we assume, but they can't help if they don't know what you're looking for. You have to advocate for yourself.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There are more events than ever competing for people's time and attention, so simply putting on a great conference isn't enough. The real opportunity is creating something people can't get anywhere else. We do that by staying close to our community, listening to what they need, and constantly evolving to deliver experiences that create real value.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Personally, I try to prioritize the things that matter most—my family, my relationships and taking care of myself so I can show up fully for the people around me. Professionally, it's about building a team that's invested in making a difference, creating meaningful value for our customers and finding purpose in the work we do every day.
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